Our tax system is based on self assessment and voluntary compliance. We aim to have an open and cooperative relationship to support and facilitate you meeting your tax obligations.
Our approach to working with large business is guided by the principles in the Taxpayers' Charter and the compliance model. We differentiate our approach and level of engagement with you according to our assessment of your risk categorisation, as outlined in How we manage tax risk.
Our approach involves consulting, collaborating and co-designing with you to support voluntary compliance, manage tax risk and minimise compliance costs. We do this based on our understanding of tax law, the global tax environment, causes of non-compliance, your business environment and from a whole of tax system perspective.
We work closely with large business, reflecting your importance in the effective operation of the tax system, and wherever possible provide certainty of tax outcomes for large complex transactions as they occur. We aim to help you manage your affairs by promoting open dialogue, strong corporate governance and a focus on how you can identify and manage tax risks.
We work with you by:
- providing information to help identify and manage tax obligations
- developing administrative processes for new laws
- addressing your concerns about administrative matters or bringing them to the attention of Treasury
- providing forums, such as the Large Business Advisory Group and the National Tax Liaison Group to raise issues and explore the administration and operation of the tax system.
To support an environment of self assessment we provide a range of products, advice and assurance services. This helps to reduce your compliance costs.
We also work with foreign tax administrations and with our Joint International Tax Shelter Information Centre partners on international tax risks as they emerge, to support effective risk management around the world.
Taxpayers' Charter
The Taxpayers' Charter guides our interactions with all taxpayers. It sets out the way we conduct ourselves when dealing with you. It helps you understand your rights, your obligations and what you can do if you are not satisfied with our service or actions.
In keeping with the Taxpayers' Charter principles you can expect that we will:
- act in a professional, courteous and respectful manner and demonstrate integrity, fairness and impartiality in the conduct of our duties
- maintain open and frank dialogue, including informing you regularly of the progress of any compliance activity
- aim to make information requests clear and unambiguous
- complete a case in the shortest time practicable, with minimum inconvenience and disruption
- communicate in a timely manner
- advise you of delays or where timelines were extended and the reasons why
- notify you if an error is detected that has resulted in you paying more than the correct amount of tax
- recognise your right to have advisers present during discussions and meetings and allow you to confer with them as necessary
- recognise your right to claim legal professional privilege, the accountants' concession, or that documents are corporate board documents on tax compliance risk.
In turn, we expect that you will work with us cooperatively and communicate with us in a timely and open manner.
Our compliance model
Our broad approach to compliance is captured in our compliance model. The model provides the framework we use to assess taxpayers and develop an appropriate response according to the nature and level of risk we identify, the causes of non-compliance and your level of cooperation with us.
Figure 4 Compliance model
Sections within Our approach
Last Modified: Wednesday, 27 February 2013